Niners suspend griping Brandon Jacobs for rest of regular season

Dec. 10, 2012
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In this Nov. 11, 2012, photo, San Francisco 49ers running back Brandon Jacobs warms up before an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams in San Francisco. Jacobs, complaining about a lack of playing time, has been suspended by the team. / Jeff Chiu, AP

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers have had enough of Brandon Jacobs' griping. The team has suspended the unhappy running back for the rest of the regular season, citing conduct detrimental to the team.

According to a person who spoke to Jacobs after he was told of his suspension, the former New York Giant is saying he'll only play for one other team â?? the Giants. The person, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity, cautioned Jacobs could always change his mind. But for now, he's only interested in a return to the team that drafted him in 2005 and kept him around for seven seasons.

Of course, the 49ers realize they could see Jacobs in the postseason if they release him, which is probably why they suspended him instead. Jacobs also has an intimate knowledge of the Niners' playbook, which would also make him attractive to any team facing San Francisco in the postseason.

The person with knowledge of Jacob's plans said Jacobs will file a grievance and fight this in hopes of getting reinstated or released.

On Monday, after the suspension, someone tweeted to Jacobs that he shouldn't have left the Giants, because the grass isn't always greener. He replied, "Roger That."

Jacobs also tweeted: "Thank you all for all your support, I am doing wonderful it's not a big deal things happen, I am strong enough to get through this, again thank all of you for your support. #IWILLBEBACK."

Like any player released after the trading deadline, Jacobs would have to pass through waivers, so there's no guarantee he'd land with the Giants â?? if they're interested in a reunion, that is. Rookie running back David Wilson emerged for them on Sunday night with 327 all-purpose yards, but starter Ahmad Bradshaw has had neck, foot and knee issues. Bradshaw was undergoing an MRI Monday to check out his knee after briefly leaving Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.

Jacobs has been unhappy with his role (or non-role) in San Francisco. He has played in only two games with five carries for just 7 yards. He began griping about his situation back in October when he told USA TODAY Sports and another outlet he was "just here doing what I've got to do, listening to people, practicing every day. That's all I can do."

Jacobs meant that in the context that he'd yet to dress for a game despite claiming he'd fully recovered from a knee injury suffered in the preseason.

Last week, Jacobs tweeted he was "rotting away" on the 49ers' sideline. That came after last month, when he tweeted not to work "where you hate your boss," though he later claimed he wasn't talking about the 49ers.

That was before the matchup with the Giants, who cut Jacobs in the spring after the two sides couldn't agree on a reduction of his base salary of almost $5 million. Jacobs' deal with the 49ers was for one season and $1.1 million, with the chance to earn more via incentives. He will now be unpaid for the final three weeks of the regular season.

It remains to be seen what the 49ers will do with him should they make the playoffs, as expected.